2018 Style Prediction: How To Dress In The Not-So-Distant Future

True style in its essence never dies. The infamous LBD, the denim trousers. With every passing year we see some of the most audacious styles on the runway. Some are trends – although, with the rise of individualism, it is not quite clear the lifespan of a trend anymore – and some are styles, and some are just a little something in-between.

The 2017 LFDW and GTBank Fashion Weekend are a start-off point for the Nigerian and African fashion industry. What’s hot? What’s not? And what has come to stay?

Bubblegum Colours

There is a heightened level of sweetness associated with these colours- sweet enough to eat.

A few years ago, these colours were associated with teenagers but with evolution, they have arrived to a point of timelessness.

Seen on some of the most-daring silhouettes, there is nothing gimmicky about bubblegum colours. With all colours ranging in the pale spectrum, picking a colour will prove easy.

1 of 10

Style Temple. LFDW.com

Mooa. Photo credit: LFDW.com

Grey. Photo credit: LFDW.com

Dzyn. Photo credit: LFDW.com

Dangerous Cutouts

There are different extremities when it comes to cutouts. Once a trend, cutouts exude a certain level of confidence, sexiness and unapologetic aura.

In hindsight, one would come to appreciate the tasteful showcase of designers like Style Temple and Andrea Iyamah. Their creative prowess eliminate the tackiness this style might harbour.

Cutouts range from simple slits to major pull outs.

1 of 10

Imad Eduso. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Johan Gert-Coetzee. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Style Temple. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Grey. Photo credit: Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Clan. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Andrea Iyamah. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Gone With The Wind

One word that comes to mind when one thinks of a flow-y gown is drama. This style has definitely come to stay.

The great thing about this style is that it suits all body type across a range – a woman could wear this look when she’s single and still wear it when she’s married and pregnant.

With the exception of a few styles, both men and women could pull off the look.

1 of 10

P.O.C. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Abiola Olusola. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Andrea Iyamah. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Maki Oh. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Sophie Zinga. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Print-tastic

Prints, never boring, never old. The opulence, thought and creativity designers put into making prints take it from a basic level to an art-induced frenzy.

In a way, there is no boundary to styling prints and that is the beauty of this style.

This style is not exclusive to women, men can explore their adventurous side with this style.

1 of 10

Emmy Kasbit. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Ejiro Amos Tafiri. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Maxhosa by Laduma. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Lisa Folawiyo. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Post Imperial. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Robe Effect

First, it was innerwear as outerwear, and now that feel has fickled into robes. To the mind, it might conjure a certain dowdy image but robe-inspired outfits are super glamorous.

The Tiffany Amber long Adire robe-inspired jacket with fur sleeves re-imagines the idea of a 21st century working lady. It’s sexy and fashion-forward.

Ugo Monye’s short robe-inspired number has a certain relaxed yet playful appeal to it. This look could almost translate from day to evening with the right styling.

1 of 10

Ugo Monye. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Lisa Folawiyo. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Orange Culture. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Loza Maleombho. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Johnson Johnson. Photo credit: Lagosfashionanddesignweek.com

Sheer Ambition

A relative amount of perversion is inhibited in this style. The beauty of sheer clothes is the many ways they can be styled – what you choose to wear underneath is up to you.

This style is perfect for the Nigerian weather.

Sheer clothes doesn’t have to be vulgar, it can be sensual without being provocative.